HISTOCHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION OF HYALURONAN IN THE RABBIT ANTERIOR SEGMENT DURING THE HEALING PERIOD AFTER EXTRACAPSULAR LENS EXTRACTION

Extracapsular lens extractions were performed in rabbits. The eyes wer e examined at different time intervals after surgery with a histochemi cal method visualizing hyaluronan. There was positive staining for hya luronan in the wound region from 2 to 90 days postoperatively. The sta ining was most intense and widespread between 7 and 14 days after surg ery. A hyaluronan staining in the corneal stroma extended from the wou nd towards the central cornea 4 to 14 days postoperatively. The iris s howed increased staining on the second postoperative day, but much les s so at the other times studied. Cells on the posterior lens capsule w ere surrounded by hyaluronan from the seventh postoperative day throug hout the observation time up to 90 days postoperatively. It is conclud ed that hyaluronan reacts during corneal wound healing.